It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Allan John Westlake at Princess Margaret Hospital on January 17, 2019 at the age of 68. He leaves his daughters Kerri (Sam), and Sara, his partner Gillian, his sister Susan and brother-in-law Len, niece Stacey (Luis) and nephew Simon, as well as Gillian’s sons, Edward (Tara) and Justin (Devin) and her sister Veronica. As a loving and kind father, partner, brother, uncle and friend, he was a great listener, always there, ready to help with sensitivity and generosity. His wide circle of friends and colleagues held him in the utmost regard for his artistic sensibility, his integrity and as the consummate problem-solver. Everyone delighted in Allan’s sense of humour and that special twinkle in his eye.

Allan attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto specializing in photography and graphics. His creative interests then turned to carpentry, and ultimately to a career coordinating the construction and design of sets for film and award-winning TV series, including Queer as Folk, Flashpoint, Orphan Black and Kim’s Convenience. He was a keen traveller with Gillian, engaging his photographic talents to the fullest and striving for his work to be “visually striking and nurture a sense of wonder and optimism” (www.allanwestlake.com). Allan held numerous art and photography exhibitions over the years. He was a passionate activist, particularly pertaining to the global climate change crisis and the need for governmental reform at all levels. Allan fervently kept up with the latest publications and media, and in 2014 participated in and photographed the People's Climate March in New York City. In 2017, he was selected to join former Vice-President Al Gore's Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training sessions in Pittsburgh and subsequently created his website www.thewilltochange.org. Allan still found time for his favourite hobbies including guitar, golf, and dreaming big. There will be a private burial and a Celebration of Life to be held soon after.

In memory of Allan, donations to Climate Action Network Canada or Democracy Now Canada would be sincerely appreciated.